The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has received the Governor General of Canada, Her Excellency Julie Payette, who is on a State visit to Nigeria.

Payette, whose plane touched down at the Presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at exactly 5.30pm, Sunday, October 28, 2018, received the traditional 21 gunshot salute and was conferred with an honorary citizenship of Abuja with the symbolic presentation of the key to the city by the Minister.

The visit, which is at the request of the Canadian Prime Minister, Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, is an opportunity for Payette to highlight Canada’s strong commitment on Nigeria and the African continent, by emphasizing issues facing African countries, which include the importance of youth involvement in society, equality of opportunity, inclusion and diversity, democracy, access to education, promoting science and innovation, the impacts of climate change and the need to support the arts and culture.

While in Nigeria, the Governor General and members of her delegation will meet with President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss bilateral relations between Canada and Nigeria. Payette will also meet with various stakeholders in the country to discuss ways of strengthening people-to-people ties and promoting various aspects of Canada abroad.

The Governor General who earlier on visited Burkina Fasoand the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire,will return to Canada on Wednesday, October 31, 2018.

It is worthy of note that Nigeria and Canada are both Commonwealth countries, but for Canada, the Queen of England is still the Head of State.